The Greater Lowell Regional Vocational Technical School Committee approved revisions to the 2025'026 Practical Nursing student handbook after an update from the program director.

Director of Practical Nursing Jen Machado told the committee that on Dec. 10 the Massachusetts Board of Nursing voted to remove the program's cap on admissions and to lift its warning status, restoring full approval. "For our next cohort we can go back up to our 40 for our day cohort, 40 for our evening cohort, and now we are at full approval status with no warning anymore," Machado said.

Administration described handbook changes that incorporate the board's recommendations: added layers of accommodations approval (involving the director of human resources and the admissions coordinator), clearer clinical-placement language to match online publications, revisions suggested by the nursing advisory committee, and added counseling resources for practical nursing students. The committee moved to approve the updated handbook and voted in favor.

The packet distributed before the meeting did not reflect the Board of Nursing's Dec. 10 action because the board decision and the packet timing coincided; the update was reported verbally at the meeting. The administration said the handbook will be translated and posted to the school website after approval.

The committee's vote formalizes the handbook changes but does not by itself change curriculum or program enrollment until administrative steps are completed.